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Jed Boal ReportingThe dreaded inversion season is nearly upon us and the Utah Division of Air Quality needs all of us to do what we can to limit pollution. New, tougher federal air quality standards go into effect soon.
Keeping the air clean will be harder this winter. We're not polluting more but the restrictions on emissions get tighter in December.
As the chill returns to Utah people with wood-burning stoves stoke the fire; but clean air rules will get tougher and we'll all need to pay attention to air quality or face more drastic measures in the future.
Based on data from recent years, ten Utah counties would be out of compliance under the new standard.
Cheryl Heying, Utah Division of Air Quality: "We're going to need all the help we can get in terms of pollution reduction. So we're going to ask people to do what they can."
Starting December 18th the US Environmental Protection Agency imposes new rules to lower the allowable daily average of fine particles known as PM 2.5. Today the allowable level is 65 micrograms per cubic meter. The new level will be about half that, 35 micrograms per cubic meter.
Those fine particles lodge deeply in our lungs.
Cheryl Heying, Utah Division of Air Quality: "They interfere with how we breathe. They've been shown to have a correlation between hospital admissions and asthma."
Tomorrow the Red Light-Green Light, Choose Clean Air winter program begins. The aim is to reduce air pollution from vehicle emissions, wood-burning stoves and fireplaces.
When pollution levels are below the new health standard a green light lets us know we can burn wood. When pollution builds, a yellow light signals for voluntary no wood-burning and reduction in driving. When pollution levels exceed the standard a Red Light signals wood burning is NOT allowed and repeat offenders face fines.
Cheryl Heying, Utah Division of Air Quality: "Right now in Salt Lake we're meeting the standard, but with these new regulations, we're going to have a tough time meeting the new standards."
There are some things we all can do to help, such as burn less wood and drive less.
